Azelis Group agrees to acquire KODA Distribution Group

Azelis Group (Azelis) and KODA Distribution Group (KDG) announce today, that Azelis has signed a binding agreement to acquire US-based KDG, significantly enhancing its position as a leading global specialty chemicals distributor. The transaction remains subject to regulatory clearances and is expected to be finalised by the end of 2015.

This major acquisition by Azelis demonstrates its strong commitment to specialty chemicals and technical service, and its continued objective to grow this segment whilst adding value to its partners.

KDG will become known as Azelis Americas, led by Frank Bergonzi, CEO and President of KDG who will assume the role as CEO and President of Azelis Americas and will become a member of the Azelis Board of Directors. Azelis Americas will continue to operate in the USA and Canada, using its existing business model and go-to-market strategy. It will maintain its regional brands and specialty chemicals sales to customers via industry verticals, and through dedicated experts.

This move is seen as extremely positive by both sides with numerous opportunities to better serve customers and principals worldwide.

Frank Bergonzi, CEO and President of KDG commented, “Being part of the Azelis Group will provide a strong platform for increased growth and widespread benefits of being part of a global organisation with a regional focus. This agreement will allow us to be closer to our principals and engage with them on a global level, helping to facilitate new opportunities for our future development. It was of prime importance to find a forward thinking, dynamic partner that would enhance our reputation and commitment to providing unparalleled customer service via technical expertise, application laboratories and extensive market knowledge. The Azelis approach to the specialty chemicals market aligns extremely well with the KDG model. This partnership allows our management, staff and approach to customers and suppliers to remain unchanged.”

Hans Joachim Müller, CEO Azelis commented, “The specialty chemicals market in North America is extremely important and the trend of suppliers moving their smaller accounts to specialty chemical distributors will continue for some time. As we got to know the team at KDG, it became clear that they share our values and we believe that they are an excellent partner to expand our business into the USA and build on our existing business in Canada. Our product portfolios are extremely complementary and demonstrate many synergies with principals, which is a paramount consideration in any acquisition. We are excited to welcome KDG to the Azelis Group.”

Both companies have shown strong performances during 2015. KDG has demonstrated extensive growth both organically, and fuelled by recent acquisitions into new markets. Investment in laboratory facilities, new products and customer-facing employees over the last three years is helping to drive Azelis’ year on year growth of more than 10% in Europe and more than 15% in Asia Pacific.

For more information please contact:

Azelis Tel: +44 7771 623353

Gillian BerryE mail: gillian.berry@azelis.com

KODA Distribution GroupTel: +1 203-883-1477

Terry MullinE mail: tmullin@kodadistribution.com

Notes to editors:

About Azelis:

Azelis is the leading global specialty chemicals distributor providing a diverse range of innovative products and services. We serve 20,000 customers in the personal care, pharma, food and health, animal nutrition, homecare and industrial cleaning, coatings, lubricants and metal working fluids, rubber & plastic additives and chemicals industries. Through sourcing and distribution channels in every major market around the world, Azelis with its corporate service centre in Antwerp, Belgium, offers chemical producers market penetration, in-depth local knowledge, value-added services and tailored multi-territory solutions. Azelis has a turnover of €1 billion and employs around 1,100 knowledgeable people located in more than 37 facilities in 35 countries across Europe, China, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Morocco. For more information, please visit: www.azelis.com

About KODA Distribution Group:

Stamford, CT-based KODA Distribution Group is setting a new standard of industry excellence. Led by a team of proven chemical industry veterans, KDG delivers unparalleled technology, products and service through its network of eleven leading specialty chemical industry companies and application laboratories, that service customers in the US and Canada in the CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers), Construction, Care (Personal Care / HI&I), Lubricants/Metalworking, Agriculture, Pharma/Nutrition, and Urethanes end markets. KDG provides regional focus with a national infrastructure. KDG’s business approach is specialty focused and technically driven to deliver unsurpassed value for all its business partners. For more information, please visit: www.kodadistribution.com